It's a shame the Parson's fell. The US will need to hold onto their 5th and 8th places to keep 3 spots for Worlds next year. The gap below 8th seems to give enough comfort space, and Eaton/Aldridge seem to have the PCS and program to possibly move up. I still expect a Russian sweep though.

Aldridge and Eaton have been stronger in the FD than the SD so far this year, so we can hope they will move up. They certainly have a good chance of overtaking Papadakis and Cizeron for fourth, and depending on whether Yanovskaia & Mozgov have problems, they could squeak in for 3rd.

but I am more excited if Stepanova/Bukin upset Sinitsina/Zhiganshin for Gold

if they can maintain consistency they could overtake S/Z. at Junior Nationals S/Z only won the FD held up by PCS
but S/B won the TES, they have also fast step sequence, transitions and fast twizzles. and Bukin is the son of an Olympic Champion
that could help too for pcs reputation

It certainly could. However, they have been prone to be a little inconsistent--not shocking as S&B are still both very young; I expect that if they don't win Jr Worlds this year, S&B will win Jr. Worlds next year.